As court gives former GIIF officials September 23 to file defence
The trial involving the alleged $2 million SkyTrain payment has been hit by further delays, with the two former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) officials yet to open their defence despite being given several opportunities by the court.
The High Court in Accra has granted former GIIF Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Asamoah, and former Board Chairman, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, a third extension to file their witness statements in the case.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ordered the two accused persons to file their witness statements by September 23, 2026, following separate requests by their lawyers to adjourn the case pending the determination of fresh applications before the Supreme Court.
The court also scheduled a case management conference for October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, and adjourned the trial to October 5 at 9 a.m.
The prosecution had opposed the requests, arguing that the accused persons had already been given sufficient time to prepare and file their defence processes.
Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, told the court that on July 2, the accused persons were directed to file their defence processes within 21 days.
He said that after their applications for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal were dismissed on July 30, the court granted them an additional 21 days to file their defence.
According to the prosecution, the second deadline expired on August 20, 2026, but the accused persons filed their latest applications on August 21.
Dr Srem-Sai urged the court to regard the failure to file the defence processes as an indication that the accused persons had chosen not to defend themselves.
He further asked the court to proceed to convict them, noting that the prosecution had already established a prima facie case against them.
However, counsel for Mr Asamoah, Prince Asafo Adjei, told the court that his client had invoked the Supreme Court’s supervisory jurisdiction and filed an interlocutory injunction application. The application has a return date of August 27.
Counsel for Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi, Godfred Gyimah Okyere, also informed the court that his client had filed a fresh application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal, which is scheduled to be heard on September 1.
In her ruling, Justice Kocuvie-Tay held that the filing of applications before the Supreme Court did not prevent the High Court from continuing with the criminal proceedings.
The judge, however, exercised her discretion to grant the accused persons another extension to file their witness statements.
She warned that should they fail to comply with the new deadline; the court would proceed in accordance with the law.
The case centres on an alleged $2 million payment made by GIIF in connection with the proposed Accra Sky Train project, which was never constructed.
The prosecution alleges that the payment was made without the requisite approval of the GIIF Board.
Mr Asamoah and Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi have been charged with offences including wilfully causing financial loss to the State and intentional dissipation of public funds.